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Another collectible ornament by renowned Civil War artist Mort Kunstler with proceeds benefiting Timber Ridge School. The holiday scene in Brief Encounter depicts a cavalry squadron in a calm moment in front of the Red Fox Inn in picturesque Middleburg, Virginia. The soldiers are checking their weapons and equipment before going out on patrol but the center of interest is an officer tipping his hat to a young woman. Is he saying goodbye to his wife or a sweetheart? Or is it a chance encounter that holds hope for the future?

With the advent of photography, war was documented for the first time through the lens of a camera. The Civil War Image Shop is an online store that buys and sells the highly collectible images of this great American conflict.

The Civil War Guitar Instrumentals CD by Mark Ferguson includes 15 solo and duet songs from the American Civil War period performed instrumentally on acoustic guitar. He’s used many different styles and techniques to perform these songs such asold-time flatpicking and fingerstyle as well as classical and traditional fingerstyle guitar performances. He’s also used several different tunings during the project to keep the sound interesting.

On this CD, Ferguson doesn’t take sides. He includes popular Union and Confederate songs.

Mark Ferguson has been playing guitar off and on for about 30 years. “I was primarily a drummer until age 20 when I switched to guitar full time. My first influences were Buddy Holly, Elvis, and The Beatles, primarily electric guitar. In the late 80’s I formed a Rockabilly trio called Red Hot ‘N’ Blue. We played mostly around my hometown, Chattanooga, TN for about ten years,” said Ferguson.

“We had some great times and opened for some great acts like Sleepy La Beef, Little Charlie and the Night Cats, Bare Naked Ladies, and even jammed with the Stray Cats! In the late 90’s I spent some time fronting a Blues trio with a sound similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s early sound mixed with some late 40s and mid 50s rhythm and blues.”

By 2000 Ferguson decided to focus primarily on playing acoustic guitar.

“I’ve been a Civil War buff for many years and decided that an all instrumental Civil War guitar project would be fun and interesting. But first I had to learn about instrumental acoustic guitar playing and that took some time.”

Ferguson started with some basic fingerstyle tunes then added some flatpicking to the mix and things really started taking off!

“I’ve been recording and adding new material to the project over the last couple of years or so. I’ve also added a ton of new material other than Civil War music to my repertoire and I am constantly improving my techniques within the various styles that I enjoy playing. After the Civil War CD is released I will be working on a new project of instrumental guitar music. I have several ideas in mind. Check my website regularly for updates: markfergusonmusic.com